South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-06-24
SCENES IN CANTON.
Animal Food, Coolie Bearers, aud the
Ayrial Boat, 10 Pearl Rivar


more expensive rs they are than beef or
pork--arc much better eating than vel
low or white or spotted animals of the
same sort, and as proof of the gcnu-
lnencss Of the color of these dciicacics
their tails are not taken of with their
hides when they are skinned. but arc
LETT untouched. So that with their tail,
upon them they arc exposed for sale, aud
ny no means a tempting sight are they.
BIRDS nests for SOUP, like dogs and cats,
are not to be found in every shop. They
are even greater delicaces and certainly
are much more inviting, for they are
not cooked in that state in which they
are found. but after they have been
thoroughly washed and c.eansei. They
are divided up into small pieces and are
OF gclatinous composition, but have
when ready for the market a strincy,
hbrods appearance.
C'nton, one of the largest and perhaps
the most interesting city Of the gle 1t
Celestial Empire, is situated near the
mouth of the Pearl II yer, and, notwitl-
standing the fact that it is n scaport
town, and would naturally seem to be
peculiarly exposed to European and
civilizing influences, is today little
changed from what it was when Marco
fo'o, the intrepid and cnterprising trav-
cicr, first made his way into it several
centuries ago. The Chinese evidently
regarded this foreigner more kindly than
subsequent travellers, for his bust, with
It's Caucasian face and with its head sur
mounted. by European hat is set up with
4o9 Acknowledged, pig-tailcd Mone oliaus
IN the celebrated Temple of the Five
Hundred Genii. Great gildcd repre-
sensations they all are, numbering among
them Buddha himself, as we'll as the
greatest of the Chinese Empcrors.
The width Of the widest of the Can
ton streets cannot be more than six or
seven feet and they are paved with
great stone flags, but there is no system
oil drainage. The only way of getting
about is by walking or by being carried
by coolies in chairs. There are three
coolies for each chair, one behind and
two in front. Seated in chair or palan
quin, one is hurried along through the
narrow streets Mt remarkably rapid
rate. The coolie bearers make pecul-
lar "Eh-ch' noise warming the foot pass
crs to get out of the way. Often these
arc obliged to stand with their backs
close up against wall while the palan.
gum Is carried by. Two palanquins
meeting generally have just room enough
though considerable difficulty in passing.
By no means the least interesting part
OF this very intercs ting Chinese city is
the Chu- Kiang, or Pearl river, upon
which it is situated. For the river must
be considered as much part of Canton
as the most crowded streets that run
down to its banks. Its surface seems
covered with little boats that not only
ply up and down, but form the only
homes OF large portion of the popula-
ton. Little boats only fifteen or twenty
feet long and not more than three or four
feet wide are the dwelling places of fam
lies OF SIX and seven persons. A low,
rounded roof over the central part of the
boat is the only covering, and here little
children are born, grow up, and marry.
Here whole families cooS, sleep, work,
and make merry. 4 pan or an earthcn
| jar placed in the bottom of the boat is
the stove kettle hung above holds that
conglomeration of ric,, vegetables, and
| pork that stews aud SINNERS until it is
cooked, when the Chinaman takes his
| portion of it into little basin. Three
or four times aday, year in and year out,
he throws with pair of chopsticks
this chow from his Tin or china
basin into his mouth. At night the
banks of the river are lined with these
little boats, four or five or even more
deep, and when NIL is quiet at midnight
1t it hard to realize that here is nj rest
no small proportion of the inhabitants
of the great seaport. A class of boats
larger, more elegant, and somewhat diff
ferent in kind, but which are lust rs
much feature Of Canton, because they
represent different side Of life. arc
J the flower boats. IL is difficult To de-
scribe exactly their character, but thev
| may be said 10 be rather in the line Of
| pleasure resorts. Some arc handsomely
furnished with easy loungiug chairs and
settecs, aud tables upon which are
swee meats, cakes and fruits. and deli
cate china tcapots and cups. Banners
/ OF silks line the walls and Chinese lam
terms shed soft light over the furnish
ings. Everything is open. These boats
arc placed side by side, and as ono stems
! from tho deck Of ono boat TO the deck
Of another he might we'll imagine that
he were walking along n street on which
| opened numerous booths and halls. Cav
enough arc these flower boats at nignt
when the Chincfc men Of tho word
saunter along, 90 in and smoke opium
or drink tea with tho thickly-paintcd
but perfectly exprcssionlcss Chinese
beauties that throng them. They gam
bic and sing dance, play rnonotonou,